"I just want to be a leader, carry this offense and do whatever I have to do to make sure we win games, whatever that is," Bell responded, smartly. "Receiving the ball, running the ball pass protection — I just want to make sure we win games."

However Bell fells deep inside his 20-year-old soul — such a complete altruistic reality seems farfetched — he wasn't taking the bait. He hasn't all offseason, even after coach Mark Dantonio appeared to direct a warning about complacency Bell's way entering spring practice.

Bell knows the history. Not since Javon Ringer in 2008 has the clear opening-game starter at running back survived the season in such a role.

Last season, this recent pattern worked in Bell's favor, as Baker — a seventh-round selection the NFL's San Diego Chargers last April — rushed for a modest 665 yards and five scores.

"It was just the circumstance," said Bell, who finished with team highs of 948 yards ad 13 touchdowns. "Last year, he was fumbling the ball and little bit, so they put me in the game and an I made sure … "

Bell trailed off before completing the thought.

"As long as I do my job and keep running how I've been running, then I think I should be fine," he continued.

View full sizeAP PhotoLe'Veon Bell led the Spartans in rushing last season, while averaging 5.2 yards per carry and scoring 13 touchdowns.

Bell knows, for the first time in his collegiate career, he'll be the focus of scouting reports.

Boise State coach Chris Petersen joked Sunday about the lengths the Broncos are going to prepare for the 6-foot-2, 244-pound bruising back.

"We've taped two of our running backs together and they carry the ball at the same time to get a little feel of what it'd be like to really tackle a guy (that size), because we don't have anybody around here who looks like that," said Petersen, who's team visits Spartan Stadium Friday night.

"He is a load. And that'll be different for our guys."

Bell said the extra burden doesn't bother him.

"I know it's going to be a great challenge for me, really test to see where I'm at," Bell said. "It's really going to test to see where this team's at — not just me. I know teams are going to come in and they're going to stack the box against me, but that's when we're going to see what (quarterback Andrew) Maxwell's going to bring to the table and the receivers, even the offensive line, (what they) will bring to the table."

That's all new to Bell, as is the workload that's likely to begin Friday.

"It has been a long time since I've been getting 20, 25 carries a game, since like high school," Bell said.

"Not that I'm nervous or feel pressure or anything, but it does feel different because it's my first time coming into the year as a starter, rather than the No. 2 guy. I've got experience and everything. I started a couple games last year and I know what to expect. I'm just going to go out there and play to the best of my abilities and I'm going to let God take care of the rest."